First report of phyllomorphy on lagerstroemia parviflora roxb. from Mogarkasa-Mangarli conservation reserve, Maharashtra, central India

During the monsoon season of 2025 (June-September), symptoms of phyllomorphy were observed affecting Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb. (Lythraceae) within the Mogarkasa-Mangarli Conservation Reserve. Phyllomorphy, a condition leading to the development of leaf-like structures in place of floral organs, can be attributed to a range of biotic, abiotic, and artificial factors. Infected plants exhibited a suite of characteristic symptoms, including excessive branching, a significant reduction in overall plant height and leaf size, and the complete transformation of floral parts into sterile, leafy structures. This pathological condition resulted in several specific floral developmental abnormalities. Detailed examination confirmed the presence of petalody, pistillody, sepalody, staminody, and overall phyllody. A comprehensive review of existing literature indicates that while phyllomorphy is known in other plant species, its occurrence in Lagerstroemia parviflora has not been previously documented from various regions of India.Crucially, no such reports exist from the state of Maharashtra, specifically from the Vidarbha region. Therefore, this study serves as the first formal report of phyllomorphy in Lagerstroemia parviflora, marking a significant new record of this phytopathological condition for the state and the particular host species. This finding highlights the need for further investigation into the specific causative agent and the potential ecological impact on native plant populations within the conservation reserve.